Frank and Andy Afloat / Or, The Cave on the Island

all his strength upon the oars in the endeavor to reach his brother. He cast anxious

dy. "I can keep afloat for quite a wh

s skiff was in pretty good condition. This was due to two causes. The blow of the whale's tail had been a glancing one, and the

her," declared the younger lad. "Take me into your boat, and

rank looked very grave as he assisted his brother into

I felt sure my boat would fill and sink in an instant, when I saw the water pouring in

nk looked at the slash in the side of his brother's boat. It was indeed a sharp c

did through the hole," went on Andy. "That's what gave

as the

a big hole in his side. He's been wounded, probably by a steamer's propeller after he was

at to the stern of his own. As the younger lad had said, his skiff, now that it was h

we bail out," observed F

going to jump in and swim for it when you

ern it will raise the bow, and the hole will be s

timbers! But it's some excitement w

smashed to pieces, and you were floating around

ther oar I'll help you row in your boat. It ought to be somewhere around here," an

n't get over what a close call you had," and, in spite of the fact that he had

ously tossing water out of his boat with a tin can.

k we've got enough water out so sh

rved the younger lad, half regretfu

turedly. "We'll have something to tell the

are you goin

y n

il boat. I'd like to have another try for that whal

ke another chance with that whale?" d

e seemed to have forgotten the narrow escape he had just experienced. "Come on, let's do it, Frank," he urged. "Don't go up to our cottage at all. If you do mother will be sure to see me all wet. Then she'll want to know how

could find him

impulsive brother. "It

Gull and we can stay

us home to dinner, as

ght. C

you feel a

hit it up, and get to the dock as soon

in with his brother's plan, as he usually did. The two boys rowed steadily

rait-they always liked to be doing things. Their name fitted them to perfection; th

ottage at Harbor View, and his summers were spent there. His wife, Olivia, was a lady fond of society, and when she c

charitable organizations, and at Harbor View she was

his business needed much of his attention. His vacation, however, was an unbroken series of d

ent residents, and they had many friends among the seafaring folk, especially in the lads. They had one or two enemie

, as he swung the boat up alongside the lan

up," observed Andy. "We can m

ove high-water mark," suggested Frank. "Some of the seams may have

ea. We'l

to going out in their sailing craft, they were hailed by an elderly man, whose gr

ound fer now?" th

out for a little sail,

n

," was the

ank wante

" and the captain, whose son Bob was quite a chum of the Racer boys,

y a cat's paw,"

gh with it," predicted the old salt. "But what happened to your boat,

ckly. "Don't say anything to him about the wha

ail?" demanded the cap

k's

il," spoke Andy quick

, and did not heed the warning. Had they done so perhaps this story would not have been writt

to start a discussion about the weather. Mr. Trent might also ask more questions a

e pier. The breeze was getting stronger every moment, until

blowing!" de

this. Besides we're safe in the harbor, and we

of the bay, which was now dotted here and there with white

Frank, after a period of silence, br

It was about here that my boat was stove in. The

exclaimed Fr

it fairly howled through the rigging. T

yelled Frank. "

heard above the howling of the wind. "We'd better keep on to Seabright

k for him. I'm going to

ur canvas. I'll hold her as steady as I can while you

y there. I c

ank Racer had considerable skill in handling boats, and with his brother at the helm, to ease off when he gave the word

o taken up with watching his brother, and in aiding him as much as he could by shifting the helm as was needful, that h

shouted the older lad. "We'll be on '

. Amid a smother of white foam, almost dead ahead and scarcely two cable lengths away there showed the bla

er her rudder. For a moment or two she hung in the balance, the howling wind driving h

Could they make it? They were near to death, for no one-not even the strongest swimme

ed to a spot at the left of the rocks,

ok! Look!"

The whale?" d

ting! It must have been on the rocks. It's a

ndy. "See the smoke-the

d the boys could look at the motor craft, that was bobbing helplessly about

y on her?"

o had made his way forward, and was

There was a puff of flame, and a cloud of smoke hovered over the hapl

up! Exploded!

eamed Frank. "He was on the boat! The explosion must ha

ters! but things are

'm going to

er the force of the shrieking wind, the Gull darted toward the dangerous rocks once more. Toward the wrecke

time? It was the question uppermost i